Common loon

The common loon is a striking freshwater bird known for its dramatic black-and-white breeding plumage and haunting calls. It spends summers nesting on northern lakes across Canada, the U.S., and Greenland before migrating to coastal waters for winter. These expert divers can vanish underwater in seconds to catch fish.

• Males weigh noticeably more than females though both share the same plumage patterns.
• In winter, their feathers turn brownish-gray with a pale throat and chest.
• They breed as far north as Iceland and winter as far south as Mexico.